Where the Author tries to justify his existence.

The Blessing That is Your Editor

You know, I hear writers complain about their editors quite often on T.V. and other media. I’ve even heard a few of the ones I’ve known for years complain about editors, but man… They are a blessing. No matter how good you are, or think you are you can always benefit from a second set of eyes on your work, especially if it’s someone who knows and loves the genre you are writing in. Having published my first book on a shoestring budget (essentially nothing…) and not partaking of traditional publishing I originally published my first book on Lulu.com without getting it edited. Sure I edited the crap out of it myself (and caught a few glaring continuity errors while I was at it, like how 200 men suddenly became 2000 in a different chapter.)

So not being able to afford an editor I was a bit taken aback when a friend I haven’t seen in years piped up on my Facebook that she has done some editing and would be happy to do it for free. “AWESOME!” says I. And it was fitting because if it wasn’t for her I would have failed the stupid spelling tests in my college communications course. Christine (Chris) Chapman and I went to NSCC in and around the same time and the same class. We became fast friends and she helped me spell my way to a diploma. Now she’s helped me by editing the 106,000 words that have become “The Knights of the Martyr.”

All she asked in return was a signed copy of the book. That’s a price even I can afford! Sadly when I graduated from College Chris and I went our separate ways. But from the looks of her Facebook feed she’s led an interesting life full of things like Chickens and Medieval outfits. So that’s pretty cool.

Anyway, be grateful for anyone who wants to help you while at the same time wants to maintain the integrity of your work.